A03064:541
A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the…
A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the second, the life of faith. ... By John Ball.A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the second, the life of faith. ... By Iohn Ball.
London: printed by William Stansby for Edward Brewster, 1631
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thirdly, Out of this principle faith extracts this infallible conclusion, This Cup, how bitter and wringing soever, is a medicine to cure, not a poison to destroy, mingled by him, that most perfectly doth understand our need, our strength, and the working of his own potion; ministered in great love and tender compassion to drive out corruption, confirm faith, preserve from falling, strengthen grace, wean from the world, and bring nearer to God by unfeigned repentance. If it be sickness or poverty,1 it is in our Fathers own hand, and he will not contend for ever, lest the spirit should fail before him: If he turn us over to a servant to scourge us; yea, though Satan himself buffet us, yet he stands by to number and moderate the stripes, that they shall not lay more upon us then shall be for our good;2 and he will enable us to bear. I am very sore displeased with the Heathen that are at ⟨p. 333⟩ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction: Therefore thus saith the Lord, I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies. 3My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. What-ever falls being in Christ, it cannot bend to our utter confusion: but an issue shall be given unto it. What terrible noise soever the storm shall make over our heads, it shall be but as hail-stones upon the tiled or leaded house, that rattle more then hurt. We are kept by the power of Christ,4 that the Evil one shall not touch us: we are in safe harbour under the rock, and shall never be confounded. Sick we are, and that of divers humours, which may breed dangerous diseases if they be not prevented: troubles, losses, disgraces, dangers and such like, are the Lords baths and pills, whereby he rids us of that infectious matter, which would impair our spiritual health, if it were let alone; his bitter potions,5 that shall work for our health and welfare. He hath said unto Crosses, purge, refine, try, exercise, breed the quiet fruits of righteousness, give them experience of their faith, confirm their patience, support their hope, make them bring forth more fruit: but he hath given them no allowance to hurt, vex, confound, weaken faith, or waste any grace of the Spirit.